Housetraining a Yorkshire Terrier

I have a 10 month old Toy Yorkshire, and the only problem is he pees all over the place. I tried the mats but that doesn't really work. I try taking him outside but he doesn't do anything. I would like some help to keep my little baby peeing in right place. If anyone has some suggestions, please share them.

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Thank you,
Carina from Fall River, MA

Answers:

Keep At It

Well, that tiny little fella must have a bladder the size of a pea (no pun intended). Whenever I took my dog out, I repeated over and over "go potty" and when she finally did I praised, hugged and kissed to let her know that she did a good job. Then, I gave her a cookie when she came in.

Well, she now goes potty on demand, when I say the words, "go potty". But, unfortunately, she also ALWAYS wants a cookie when she comes in. I did the usual, let her out when she woke up, after meals, before bedtime, but also after playing I noticed she would always go on the floor, so I would rush her outside then too. She was 8 months old before she finally caught on, maybe your cutie will catch on soon too. Good luck!

Reinforce the Behavior You Want

I read the other posts and I totally agree with them. My dogs go pee on "request" when I say "go potty". I used a crate to manage their times so that I would get optimal response to my "go potty" request. If you have never put your baby in a crate he will cry and yelp. You have got to go let him out of the crate when he is not crying to get out. Training animals is reinforcing the behavior you want, and ignoring the behavior you don't want. Usually it takes about 3 days of crate training before they "get" it. You won't let them out until they are quiet. Then work on the "go potty".

By Donna

"Do Your Business"

Cinthia and Donna are right about relieving on command. The crate is a good thing. Dogs have a natural denning instinct and terriers orginally were bred to go-to-ground. Just don't get a crate that's too big. Think "cosy/den", it should be just big enough stand up, turn around, stretchout a little. No water or food in there, just a blanket (if he doesn't chew) and a toy for amusement. Don't leave him in there for endless hours at a time. Dogs will not usually soil their beds or crates unless they are ill.

When you rub your dog's nose in "it" you are really teaching him to relieved in a hidden place and you will only find it when it starts to smell. I have two German Shepherds that are complete house-dogs and our command is "do your business". My dogs would die before they would relieve inside. After you have established a routine with your dog, watch the time, take him out regularly and watch his body language for signs he needs to "go". Your dog is darling.

Don't Put Your Dog's Nose In It!

To those who push their dog's face in urine and feces to punish them for accidents: Please stop!

This does nothing positive! This does not train the dog to stop the behavior. This isn't even a form of training, it's just plain wrong. Doing this to a pet will cause the dog to become stressed and will actually cause the dog to be afraid to do it's 'business'. It will actually delay proper housebreaking and without proper training, your dog will continue this behavior.

I know that people do this to their dogs because they probably learned it from someone else but it's not an acceptable way to train in ANY form. There isn't a training school in the nation that teaches to rub a dogs face in feces.

If you catch the dog in the act, give him the "NO" correction and quickly take him outside and let him finish. Watch him and when he does his business, praise him lavishly. Timing is essential. Don't wait until you both are back in the house. Be patient! If your dog isn't getting the message right away, start all over with housebreaking from the very start using little bits of food treats. When the dog does his business outside, praise him and give him a food treat. A small food treat. Be sure to designate a place in the yard for this so he will be sure to return time and time again.